The opening of the new European Configuration and Distribution Centre of the Ricoh Group at the Industrial Park Noordland, Bergen op Zoom on September 10th, is attended by Mr. Sakurai, representing Ricoh's worldwide top management. Mrs. Maij-Weggen delivers a keynote address at the opening ceremony. 

As a world leader in the field of office automation, the Ricoh Group has been continuously expanding its European operations over the past decades. The newly built Configuration and Distribution Centre is part of Ricoh's supply chain management optimisation programme, entailing the European operations of Group companies Ricoh and NRG. Ricoh has chosen for pan-European supply chain management control in Bergen op Zoom. As a component of this programme, integrated warehouse operation enables the Group's companies to further increase their responsiveness to changing customer needs. 

To enable customer satisfaction optimisation, the Bergen op Zoom facility also hosts the Ricoh Group's European Configuration Centre. Equipment is centrally pre-configured and shipped directly to the local client according to his order. Eliminating the need for local storage and handling and improving quality assurance, the tailored products are installed directly at the end user's side. 

In addition to pre-configuration and distribution, Ricoh selected the new site as the company's 'European Green Centre'. Recycling logistics will be a third objective. As a globally ISO 14001-certified company and recognised environmental leader in its field, Ricoh is expanding its environmental management activities. Whereas recycling systems are in place for packing materials and used consumables in some countries, the new centre will play an important role in the refurbishing or dismantling of post-use equipment in Europe. 

With 47,000 square meters of floor area, the new facility will optimise costs by combining former distribution operations (Zaandam and Roosendaal, both in the Netherlands). In total, approximately 300 staff will be employed in Bergen op Zoom. Phased migration has been taking place as from August to secure uninterrupted business. A sophisticated order picking system based on handheld barcode scanning linked to the company wide ERP systems will streamline the order fulfilment process. 4,300 orders can be picked daily with an average time of 180 minutes from receipt to despatch to locations throughout Europe, as well as Israel, South Africa and India. 

The development of the Configuration and Distribution Centre in Bergen op Zoom started in October 2003 and was completed according to schedule in August 2004. Main partners involved have been NV Rewin, the regional development authority of West Brabant and ProLogis, leading provider of distribution facilities and services. Global leader in supply chain management, Exel has been selected as the logistic contractor for the new facility. Exel has been a long term partner of Ricoh, running the former Ricoh warehouse operations in Zaandam.